Diadochi nods, "Sim ole boy, I daresay you're right." He goes up to the bartender, "five ales my good man, " he uses his trunk to put the appropriate coinage on the bar counter. He picks up so of them and says to Sora "one of these is for you, bring the others to Sim and his new friend, there's a girl."
He goes over to Cora, in a low voice he says "she's hunting down a cursed child to kill her. We have the cure but we need time, so we are doing a bit of a misdirect, keep her drinking keep her in the dark and we might be able to save a little girl with out violence or scandal." He winks while passing her a drink, "all you have to do is get tipsy and pretend to enjoy my company."
Abigail leaves Orta's and heads to the Blood Raven ((not sure when she will arrive within the narrative or time of day, so once I do I will try to post more)).
Cora looks over at Diadochi, a slow blink followed by a deep sigh. Noting that Sim and Sora-ha's investigation is quickly coming to a close with the bartender, she stands up. "Diadochi, it's the middle of the day and we have a job," she whispers. "Next time, bring them to people. Not a empty tavern to get caught," she looks at her things on the table. "Make sure you collect these," she grabs the bits of paper quietly getting on to the stairs and heading up. Leaving Diadochi with some extra brews at a table full of quills.
Sora-ha finishes talking to the bartender, before looking over at Diadochi. "Job to do," she hisses. Passing off the drink and heading outside. She then continues to ask, person by person, if they heard anything about this girl. With every answer being no, you still stay with Sora for a bit. It's clear that tracking is not her job. But making other people instantly terrified into telling her the truth.. much more her style.
"Getting. Nowhere." She scoffs. "Split. Up. Find. Girl. She punches her hand into her fist, doing a bit of a grinding motion with her knuckles. With a firm nod, she heads off to the fields, probably to ask each and every farmer one by one.
Returning back to the center of town, Sim and Diadochi see both Abigail and Lafetha heading towards the tavern. (Day 3: 1:30 pm)
"Alright. I have my rationed packed, and I think Alul is probably waiting for us on the outskirts of town somewhere. Orta appears to be at least attempting to aid the... situation. I assume that Cora is also waiting on us? How is everyone else fairing?"
Diadochi scoff, "I'm offended you think I have any control over *when* the child hunt begins instead of merely being able to steer it in hopefully benign directions.
Diadochi nods at Sora-ha "probably a wise idea,"
Once she's well out earshot "I don't think she'll get anywhere, even if she does, Orta can probably take care of herself. Alul soon the other hand seems to be fully set on leaving without us. We need to make sure he doesn't die otherwise we've squandered a resource and we don't have many of those left."
Diadochi looks Abigail in the eyes "if we're to leave with out at least trying to get the mayor's axe it seems wasteful to have a resource untapped. I can try to use the rapport I have with him to ask for it but it doesn't seem likely. If I ask for it and then it disappears it'll look worse than if it just dissapears and we "find" it and return it later... In your opinion should I try to ask for it before we head out?"
Abigail shrugs, "At this point, attempting a heist for the axe is not really possible. We would need to case the house for at least one night before attempting to break in, not to mention needing intelligence on the movement and resting locations of the staff within... That would just be to try something on the fly. Ideally, we would also try to get invited back into the house in order to better understand the layout of the house, potential security measures, and any interior changes made by his new wife since we last visited."
Shaking her head, Abigail continues, "I figure this is our last shot at trying to get the key from Orta on her terms. If Alul is not strong enough to help us, then the Iron Queen did not mean for this task to be completed in this manner... if at all. What we really need is Yaalin... That being said, it might not hurt to just ask to borrow the axe - but it was my understanding that the Hn'ti and the people of Rest were on somewhat good terms due to their cooperation with locking the apple and beast away in the first place."
She chuckles at the mention of being lost, "Yes. Lost. That is one way to put it. They have been speaking louder of late, the ones who are gone in and yet in my mind. I guessed it was simply frustration with my incompetence but maybe it was that I am going about everything from the wrong side. Or, maybe it was you?" she shakes her head a little as if to clear her thoughts, now jumbled with past voices, "I do not know how I can help you. I am however willing to try. I am not one to sit idle while others are, how did you say it?, stuck. helplessness is not healthy for anyone or anything and watching what you love crumble away....." Her eyes glance up from the dancing flames of her fire she has been staring into, "I do apologize, I am prone to bouts of memory lately. I will do what I can to help you, what do you require of me?
There's a bit of a cold breeze that seems to stir. Whipping the fire about; sparks rising to the air before plummeting and extinguishing on the cold ground.
"Memories are how we keep ourselves," it pauses. Hands waiving around as it attempts to find the right words. "sane. Grounded. Stable on the seas." the hood turns, once again the faint sparkling of whatever is beyond the hood looking up on the mountain. "My own memories are gone. Taken from me. Cut from me. Long, long ago. Before we walked on this world. The fade. Most of them fade." the crackle chuckles a bit. "I, too, am prone to fits of the past. That is one of the reasons why I have come to you, Yaalin. Because we can help each other."
There's a long pause. A odd silence in the air before it speaks again. "Your friends are in danger. They are so close to success and I need them to succeed. I need the group that came with you to succeed. Otherwise, I will be stuck. For so much longer." It turns back to Yaalin, shifting a bit. Hands waving through the fire a bit. "I need you to go to them. To do whatever it takes to open that gate." The hood lifts, a sea of starlight and falling embers looking back at you. It feels like falling while staring into it. A endless swirl just the sensation of falling. "I am what you seek. You cannot let anyone but those you came with to take me. Or make you leave me here."
The hood looks down once again at the floor. The hands moving to rest on Yaalin's knees. Reaching through the fire; the flames dancing through the robes. As if it wasn't even there to begin with. "Partner with me, Yaalin. Let me guide you. To remove your sense of being lost. To walk the right path. Both here. And, perhaps beyond."
Yaalin gazes into the void of stars and sparks. Her own eyes begin to whirl in aquamarine and shadow in response to the presence before her a hundred voices yelling in silence in her mind and suddenly stop in agreement.
"I am yours to wield in this task." She grimaces a bit, "There are those here who will resist, The Iron Queen has an agent here as well. But I will deal with them when the time comes.
The others will try for the Hn'ti chief again. That much I can guess based on my last encounter with them. I will head for the roads leading there and attempt to intercept them as the leave town."
Her expression turns bashful, "though I must admit I have no idea where I am at the moment...."
Sim realizing they are out of options and need to move or they lose Alul he follows Sora as she is on her way out into the fields. “It is possible the girl was to scared to come into a populated area in her condition. I had another thought that maybe she headed out towards Shepherd who we met earlier. You may want to go there after you talk to all the people in the fields. Unfortunately, the crew is itching to head after the Apple again so I will have to leave with them.”
Sim will then head out with everyone else and hope Orta can save the girl in time.
Listening to Sim, lafetha suggest going to go see Shepherd and talk to him to see if he has seen the girl. "i maybe there is something up there we missed or something. We are not strong enough to take on the Hn'ti by ourselves, or maybe he can suggest something to help."
Diadochi nods "well, not for the first time, Abigail old gal, I'm glad you're on our side. If this is our last attempt trying to get the cheiftan's head it seems unwise to leave an asset on the table. I find it unlikely we can use the time we save not making the attempt to do something better. I'll just pop over and ask, if he says no we leave, barely any time spent. "
Diadochi turns to Lafetha "I didn't really see the Shepard as one that takes sides, and I believe he has friendly trade relations with the Hn'ti, but maybe you picked up something I didn't. If we can find him is another issue. Something tells me Alul won't be much for detours."
Diadochi goes to the mayor's house alone (or wherever he knows the mayor to be) and go through pleasantries, and say "I wish this was a social call but I'm in a bit if a spot. We are about to head out on an important step that might save the world. Thing is we tried once before, and we failed. We're giving it another go of course but we need anything and everything that can help us. We need to borrow your grandfather's axe.
I am aware this is a big ask, but I'm not asking for a favor, I'm asking for an exchange. For the rental of your precious heirloom I'm willing to part with all the coins I currently have on me, if you require more I can get them to you at a later date. More importantly I wish to impress upon you the seriousness in which I take returning this axe to you." Diadochi takes a deep breathe, takes a signet ring out and puts it on "when we first met I wasn't entirely honest with you, what I said was true but I'm mainly here because I'm an exile and disowned, it's seen as a severe indiscretion to even mention my family, as my law and culture I have no family to claim. I'm here to earn them back. This ring and my stories are the only things I have that tie me to them. "
Diadochi takes a pen and paper and writes down a family secret, folds the paper seals it in wax and imprints the signet into the wax, and takes off the ring and presents it to the mayor "you could send this ring back to my relatives back home and my exile will be permanent," he holds up the note he just wrote down "you can send this to the authorities of my Homeland and my whole family will be disgraced, some will be exiled maybe even killed. The idea of getting back to my family is the only reason I have hope for the future. With these things you know if you didn't get your axe back it's because I died."
The mayor, as usual, was out in the fields watching. The people of Rest toiling with the hard group. Several new sets of rocks laying about since the last time you were all there; having been dug up. He adjusts a bit, shifting uncomfortably.
"I'm afraid I cannot let such a valuable heirloom go," he says as he looks at the note. "Have you never wondered why I inherited the town and my half-brother did not?" A smug grin comes across the Mayors face. "I am the inheritor of my grandfather. And while I may be only half orc, I am still of the proud orcish lineage. You, my hard skinned friend, would not be able to use the blade. It's fires will not ignite for you."
You get the sense that, he's hiding more than that, but isn't directly lying. His hand reaches up, pressing Diadochi's hand closed. "And I'm afraid that I cannot accept a letter such as that. After all, I barely know where your homeland is. Or how I could ever reach it. The best I could do is give it to the circus that comes through once a year and see what happens." He gives a bit of a shrug. "According to the halfling, it's a hard few months of travel. And most don't survive. So while I appreciate the offer, and respect it, it's a bit hollow."
There's a loud snap and pop, someone clearly becoming injured as their plow falls into a small hole that opens up. The Mayor, and others, rushing over to help. Cutting the conversation to a close.
Diadochi nods and puts the ring and the letter away, "I assumed as much. I'd rather have asked than need the axe and not even made a try for it. You'll forgive but..." Diadochi hears the snap and rushes towards the sound of the commotion.
You come across one of the villagers having fallen into a bit of a pit. Others already there to help bring him, and the equipment out. It seems that the terrain is incredibly rocky, and sometimes when those boulders shift, causes small sinkholes.
There are some injuries; a clear few broken fingers. But still, the person talks with the mayor before getting back to work. Stating that they'll head to Orta tomorrow to see if she has any salves to assist with setting the bones.
Diadochi looks sheepish "I see you have everything well like hand here, Mr. Mayor thank you for your time." He gives the injured man a gold coin, "where I come from people injured on the job get compensation, and the medical fees covered as well. I hope this is enough. Swift healing."
Diadochi takes his leave and returns to the group "that went as well as expected but at least we tried. Oh well, adventure awaits, tally ho and all that."
The mayor looks over at Diadochi with a bit of a nod. "We appreciate it. The offer to help." The guy with the broken hand takes the coin, flipping it a few times before giving a nod and putting it into his pocket. Once back with the rest of the group, they gather their supplies and strike out once again. Cora meets up as Diadochi and others who stayed at the Inn gather their things from the rooms. Once on the trial, Alul meets up with them. Maintaining his lion form for the day.
(Day 3: Night)
That night is.. terrible. A strong lack of sleep across all of the party. Under the light of the full moon, Alul is unable to keep his own form stable. His true form shifting back and forth through the night. A oddly shaped man. Deep green-blue skin. Half of his body larger than the other; one massive arm compared to one atrophied am. Even for those that normally sleep soundly find themselves wracked by nightmares. Violent nightmares that return no matter how many times you fall back asleep.
(Day 4 & 5)
Alul is the first up that morning. Standing out in the humanoid lion body you saw him in. Looking out and up the mountain. "I have a feeling we're being watched. The Great Priestess knows we're coming."
Finishing their gathering of supplies, the group sets out... climbing and heading towards the Hn'ti village. The terrain has begun to change just enough to cause some small delays. Where a rock path used to be, now the beginning of a waterfall that's just a bit too much effort. A patch of land that was actually a ice sheet, now gone, having to go around. It adds a extra day to the usual marker.
(Someone can make 2 Survival rolls, DC 15, or the group can use rations)
(Day 6)
Group: The day gets away from you. The path always seeming... wrong. Sim, you find yourself unable to get oriented. As if something is influencing the mountain itself. Stopping to take a rest from the hike, a storm can be seen quickly approaching. Clouds pouring in faster than you can run. You spend the rest of daylight finding a spot for shelter.
Yaalin: "Do not worry, Yaalin. I know where we are." Yaalin you blink a few times. Finding yourself just looking at a fire, the being gone. A pull of something from deep within coming out. The light of the world above seeming a bit darker. "Trust me," the voice softly whispers into your ear. "I will guide us." (Switch Domain to Twilight)
(Day 7 & 8)
Yaalin: You feel caught in a dream. The voice guiding you through the mountain. Paths seem to open before you. Following bugs, water, wind. The footsteps aren't your own. And neither is your vision, able to see in the dark so clearly.
Group: The squall rages for days. The wind and lightning incredibly violent. (You can attempt to set out to find supplies. You will take 1 exhaustion for attempting, 2 for failing. Survival DC 20. Or use rations) Alul seems set that this is a good omen. A sign of the approaching fight. Cora, however, considers it a bad omen. A sign of incoming doom.
(Day 9)
The storm passes. The clouds seeming to leave around mid-day. By twilight, you all find yourselves a few hours from the Hn'ti village. Coming over the ridge, both Yaalin and the Group spot one another. Yaalin, your vision returns to more of your own. The light fog lifting from your eyes as you see friends, and both Alul and Cora with them. "No longer lost, my Yaalin. Now found," the voice whispers in your ear. "They need you, and you need them."
The outskirts of the Hn'ti village is a few hours, still quite do-able and you would arrive by night. Despite this being the longest amount of time it's ever taken to get up this part of the mountain.
Sim spends the days doing his best to guide everyone but as he feels the mountain trails seem to slip away from him he becomes more and more frustrated. On day 7 & 8 he decides to simply use rations. He knows something magical is wreaking havoc on the mountain and he doesn’t like it.
The night with Alul and The storm causes him to try to discern exactly what Alul is. arcana14
it also makes him cery concerned for the little girl in rest.
Yaalin approaches the rest of the group nodding and smiling at seeing Alul with them.
"I had guessed you would try again for the chieftains head. Do you have a plan for approaching the village this time? Given the level of patrols and additional guards I saw while I was nearby I would not put any faith into a stealthy approach for more than 1 or 2 people."
She gazes steadily at the group, " I see three options, distract them and hope to strike from an opposite point while getting as many distractions as possible out of the way. Two, we could go in full force and attempt to slaughter our way through. I would prefer not to choose such an option. Or third, we can sneak someone into town and gauge where their guards and sentries are to choose the weakest point and strike there through stealth."
"Regardless of what we choose, there is not a lot of benefit to waiting around except for darkness to fall so we should make a decision quickly."
Diadochi nods, "Sim ole boy, I daresay you're right." He goes up to the bartender, "five ales my good man, " he uses his trunk to put the appropriate coinage on the bar counter. He picks up so of them and says to Sora "one of these is for you, bring the others to Sim and his new friend, there's a girl."
He goes over to Cora, in a low voice he says "she's hunting down a cursed child to kill her. We have the cure but we need time, so we are doing a bit of a misdirect, keep her drinking keep her in the dark and we might be able to save a little girl with out violence or scandal." He winks while passing her a drink, "all you have to do is get tipsy and pretend to enjoy my company."
Abigail leaves Orta's and heads to the Blood Raven ((not sure when she will arrive within the narrative or time of day, so once I do I will try to post more)).
Cora looks over at Diadochi, a slow blink followed by a deep sigh. Noting that Sim and Sora-ha's investigation is quickly coming to a close with the bartender, she stands up. "Diadochi, it's the middle of the day and we have a job," she whispers. "Next time, bring them to people. Not a empty tavern to get caught," she looks at her things on the table. "Make sure you collect these," she grabs the bits of paper quietly getting on to the stairs and heading up. Leaving Diadochi with some extra brews at a table full of quills.
Sora-ha finishes talking to the bartender, before looking over at Diadochi. "Job to do," she hisses. Passing off the drink and heading outside. She then continues to ask, person by person, if they heard anything about this girl. With every answer being no, you still stay with Sora for a bit. It's clear that tracking is not her job. But making other people instantly terrified into telling her the truth.. much more her style.
"Getting. Nowhere." She scoffs. "Split. Up. Find. Girl. She punches her hand into her fist, doing a bit of a grinding motion with her knuckles. With a firm nod, she heads off to the fields, probably to ask each and every farmer one by one.
Returning back to the center of town, Sim and Diadochi see both Abigail and Lafetha heading towards the tavern. (Day 3: 1:30 pm)
What do you do?
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
"Alright. I have my rationed packed, and I think Alul is probably waiting for us on the outskirts of town somewhere. Orta appears to be at least attempting to aid the... situation. I assume that Cora is also waiting on us? How is everyone else fairing?"
Diadochi scoff, "I'm offended you think I have any control over *when* the child hunt begins instead of merely being able to steer it in hopefully benign directions.
Diadochi nods at Sora-ha "probably a wise idea,"
Once she's well out earshot "I don't think she'll get anywhere, even if she does, Orta can probably take care of herself. Alul soon the other hand seems to be fully set on leaving without us. We need to make sure he doesn't die otherwise we've squandered a resource and we don't have many of those left."
Diadochi looks Abigail in the eyes "if we're to leave with out at least trying to get the mayor's axe it seems wasteful to have a resource untapped. I can try to use the rapport I have with him to ask for it but it doesn't seem likely. If I ask for it and then it disappears it'll look worse than if it just dissapears and we "find" it and return it later... In your opinion should I try to ask for it before we head out?"
Abigail shrugs, "At this point, attempting a heist for the axe is not really possible. We would need to case the house for at least one night before attempting to break in, not to mention needing intelligence on the movement and resting locations of the staff within... That would just be to try something on the fly. Ideally, we would also try to get invited back into the house in order to better understand the layout of the house, potential security measures, and any interior changes made by his new wife since we last visited."
Shaking her head, Abigail continues, "I figure this is our last shot at trying to get the key from Orta on her terms. If Alul is not strong enough to help us, then the Iron Queen did not mean for this task to be completed in this manner... if at all. What we really need is Yaalin... That being said, it might not hurt to just ask to borrow the axe - but it was my understanding that the Hn'ti and the people of Rest were on somewhat good terms due to their cooperation with locking the apple and beast away in the first place."
There's a bit of a cold breeze that seems to stir. Whipping the fire about; sparks rising to the air before plummeting and extinguishing on the cold ground.
"Memories are how we keep ourselves," it pauses. Hands waiving around as it attempts to find the right words. "sane. Grounded. Stable on the seas." the hood turns, once again the faint sparkling of whatever is beyond the hood looking up on the mountain. "My own memories are gone. Taken from me. Cut from me. Long, long ago. Before we walked on this world. The fade. Most of them fade." the crackle chuckles a bit. "I, too, am prone to fits of the past. That is one of the reasons why I have come to you, Yaalin. Because we can help each other."
There's a long pause. A odd silence in the air before it speaks again. "Your friends are in danger. They are so close to success and I need them to succeed. I need the group that came with you to succeed. Otherwise, I will be stuck. For so much longer." It turns back to Yaalin, shifting a bit. Hands waving through the fire a bit. "I need you to go to them. To do whatever it takes to open that gate." The hood lifts, a sea of starlight and falling embers looking back at you. It feels like falling while staring into it. A endless swirl just the sensation of falling. "I am what you seek. You cannot let anyone but those you came with to take me. Or make you leave me here."
The hood looks down once again at the floor. The hands moving to rest on Yaalin's knees. Reaching through the fire; the flames dancing through the robes. As if it wasn't even there to begin with. "Partner with me, Yaalin. Let me guide you. To remove your sense of being lost. To walk the right path. Both here. And, perhaps beyond."
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Yaalin gazes into the void of stars and sparks. Her own eyes begin to whirl in aquamarine and shadow in response to the presence before her a hundred voices yelling in silence in her mind and suddenly stop in agreement.
"I am yours to wield in this task." She grimaces a bit, "There are those here who will resist, The Iron Queen has an agent here as well. But I will deal with them when the time comes.
The others will try for the Hn'ti chief again. That much I can guess based on my last encounter with them. I will head for the roads leading there and attempt to intercept them as the leave town."
Her expression turns bashful, "though I must admit I have no idea where I am at the moment...."
Sim realizing they are out of options and need to move or they lose Alul he follows Sora as she is on her way out into the fields. “It is possible the girl was to scared to come into a populated area in her condition. I had another thought that maybe she headed out towards Shepherd who we met earlier. You may want to go there after you talk to all the people in the fields. Unfortunately, the crew is itching to head after the Apple again so I will have to leave with them.”
Sim will then head out with everyone else and hope Orta can save the girl in time.
Listening to Sim, lafetha suggest going to go see Shepherd and talk to him to see if he has seen the girl. "i maybe there is something up there we missed or something. We are not strong enough to take on the Hn'ti by ourselves, or maybe he can suggest something to help."
Sim suggests skipping the axe and moving on with Alul toward the hn’ti
Diadochi nods "well, not for the first time, Abigail old gal, I'm glad you're on our side. If this is our last attempt trying to get the cheiftan's head it seems unwise to leave an asset on the table. I find it unlikely we can use the time we save not making the attempt to do something better. I'll just pop over and ask, if he says no we leave, barely any time spent. "
Diadochi turns to Lafetha "I didn't really see the Shepard as one that takes sides, and I believe he has friendly trade relations with the Hn'ti, but maybe you picked up something I didn't. If we can find him is another issue. Something tells me Alul won't be much for detours."
Diadochi goes to the mayor's house alone (or wherever he knows the mayor to be) and go through pleasantries, and say "I wish this was a social call but I'm in a bit if a spot. We are about to head out on an important step that might save the world. Thing is we tried once before, and we failed. We're giving it another go of course but we need anything and everything that can help us. We need to borrow your grandfather's axe.
I am aware this is a big ask, but I'm not asking for a favor, I'm asking for an exchange. For the rental of your precious heirloom I'm willing to part with all the coins I currently have on me, if you require more I can get them to you at a later date. More importantly I wish to impress upon you the seriousness in which I take returning this axe to you." Diadochi takes a deep breathe, takes a signet ring out and puts it on "when we first met I wasn't entirely honest with you, what I said was true but I'm mainly here because I'm an exile and disowned, it's seen as a severe indiscretion to even mention my family, as my law and culture I have no family to claim. I'm here to earn them back. This ring and my stories are the only things I have that tie me to them. "
Diadochi takes a pen and paper and writes down a family secret, folds the paper seals it in wax and imprints the signet into the wax, and takes off the ring and presents it to the mayor "you could send this ring back to my relatives back home and my exile will be permanent," he holds up the note he just wrote down "you can send this to the authorities of my Homeland and my whole family will be disgraced, some will be exiled maybe even killed. The idea of getting back to my family is the only reason I have hope for the future. With these things you know if you didn't get your axe back it's because I died."
The mayor, as usual, was out in the fields watching. The people of Rest toiling with the hard group. Several new sets of rocks laying about since the last time you were all there; having been dug up. He adjusts a bit, shifting uncomfortably.
"I'm afraid I cannot let such a valuable heirloom go," he says as he looks at the note. "Have you never wondered why I inherited the town and my half-brother did not?" A smug grin comes across the Mayors face. "I am the inheritor of my grandfather. And while I may be only half orc, I am still of the proud orcish lineage. You, my hard skinned friend, would not be able to use the blade. It's fires will not ignite for you."
You get the sense that, he's hiding more than that, but isn't directly lying. His hand reaches up, pressing Diadochi's hand closed. "And I'm afraid that I cannot accept a letter such as that. After all, I barely know where your homeland is. Or how I could ever reach it. The best I could do is give it to the circus that comes through once a year and see what happens." He gives a bit of a shrug. "According to the halfling, it's a hard few months of travel. And most don't survive. So while I appreciate the offer, and respect it, it's a bit hollow."
There's a loud snap and pop, someone clearly becoming injured as their plow falls into a small hole that opens up. The Mayor, and others, rushing over to help. Cutting the conversation to a close.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Diadochi nods and puts the ring and the letter away, "I assumed as much. I'd rather have asked than need the axe and not even made a try for it. You'll forgive but..." Diadochi hears the snap and rushes towards the sound of the commotion.
You come across one of the villagers having fallen into a bit of a pit. Others already there to help bring him, and the equipment out. It seems that the terrain is incredibly rocky, and sometimes when those boulders shift, causes small sinkholes.
There are some injuries; a clear few broken fingers. But still, the person talks with the mayor before getting back to work. Stating that they'll head to Orta tomorrow to see if she has any salves to assist with setting the bones.
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Diadochi looks sheepish "I see you have everything well like hand here, Mr. Mayor thank you for your time." He gives the injured man a gold coin, "where I come from people injured on the job get compensation, and the medical fees covered as well. I hope this is enough. Swift healing."
Diadochi takes his leave and returns to the group "that went as well as expected but at least we tried. Oh well, adventure awaits, tally ho and all that."
The mayor looks over at Diadochi with a bit of a nod. "We appreciate it. The offer to help." The guy with the broken hand takes the coin, flipping it a few times before giving a nod and putting it into his pocket. Once back with the rest of the group, they gather their supplies and strike out once again. Cora meets up as Diadochi and others who stayed at the Inn gather their things from the rooms. Once on the trial, Alul meets up with them. Maintaining his lion form for the day.
(Day 3: Night)
That night is.. terrible. A strong lack of sleep across all of the party. Under the light of the full moon, Alul is unable to keep his own form stable. His true form shifting back and forth through the night. A oddly shaped man. Deep green-blue skin. Half of his body larger than the other; one massive arm compared to one atrophied am. Even for those that normally sleep soundly find themselves wracked by nightmares. Violent nightmares that return no matter how many times you fall back asleep.
(Day 4 & 5)
Alul is the first up that morning. Standing out in the humanoid lion body you saw him in. Looking out and up the mountain. "I have a feeling we're being watched. The Great Priestess knows we're coming."
Finishing their gathering of supplies, the group sets out... climbing and heading towards the Hn'ti village. The terrain has begun to change just enough to cause some small delays. Where a rock path used to be, now the beginning of a waterfall that's just a bit too much effort. A patch of land that was actually a ice sheet, now gone, having to go around. It adds a extra day to the usual marker.
(Someone can make 2 Survival rolls, DC 15, or the group can use rations)
(Day 6)
Group: The day gets away from you. The path always seeming... wrong. Sim, you find yourself unable to get oriented. As if something is influencing the mountain itself. Stopping to take a rest from the hike, a storm can be seen quickly approaching. Clouds pouring in faster than you can run. You spend the rest of daylight finding a spot for shelter.
Yaalin: "Do not worry, Yaalin. I know where we are." Yaalin you blink a few times. Finding yourself just looking at a fire, the being gone. A pull of something from deep within coming out. The light of the world above seeming a bit darker. "Trust me," the voice softly whispers into your ear. "I will guide us." (Switch Domain to Twilight)
(Day 7 & 8)
Yaalin: You feel caught in a dream. The voice guiding you through the mountain. Paths seem to open before you. Following bugs, water, wind. The footsteps aren't your own. And neither is your vision, able to see in the dark so clearly.
Group: The squall rages for days. The wind and lightning incredibly violent. (You can attempt to set out to find supplies. You will take 1 exhaustion for attempting, 2 for failing. Survival DC 20. Or use rations) Alul seems set that this is a good omen. A sign of the approaching fight. Cora, however, considers it a bad omen. A sign of incoming doom.
(Day 9)
The storm passes. The clouds seeming to leave around mid-day. By twilight, you all find yourselves a few hours from the Hn'ti village. Coming over the ridge, both Yaalin and the Group spot one another. Yaalin, your vision returns to more of your own. The light fog lifting from your eyes as you see friends, and both Alul and Cora with them. "No longer lost, my Yaalin. Now found," the voice whispers in your ear. "They need you, and you need them."
The outskirts of the Hn'ti village is a few hours, still quite do-able and you would arrive by night. Despite this being the longest amount of time it's ever taken to get up this part of the mountain.
What do you do?
DM PbP Series (Completed) : The Blackmire Company, Voyage of the Windhook ,Shanty of Soulripper, The Streets of Dunnour
Ok so first two survival rolls for day 4 & 5. I assume someone helps me per usual.
survival 16
survival 19
Sim spends the days doing his best to guide everyone but as he feels the mountain trails seem to slip away from him he becomes more and more frustrated. On day 7 & 8 he decides to simply use rations. He knows something magical is wreaking havoc on the mountain and he doesn’t like it.
The night with Alul and The storm causes him to try to discern exactly what Alul is. arcana 14
it also makes him cery concerned for the little girl in rest.
Yaalin approaches the rest of the group nodding and smiling at seeing Alul with them.
"I had guessed you would try again for the chieftains head. Do you have a plan for approaching the village this time? Given the level of patrols and additional guards I saw while I was nearby I would not put any faith into a stealthy approach for more than 1 or 2 people."
She gazes steadily at the group, " I see three options, distract them and hope to strike from an opposite point while getting as many distractions as possible out of the way. Two, we could go in full force and attempt to slaughter our way through. I would prefer not to choose such an option. Or third, we can sneak someone into town and gauge where their guards and sentries are to choose the weakest point and strike there through stealth."
"Regardless of what we choose, there is not a lot of benefit to waiting around except for darkness to fall so we should make a decision quickly."
Sim looks at Yaalin as he steps out in front of them and starts talking.
“Why are you here? Why would we let you try to stop our plan by telling you?”